Contact, Open or Air Fry? The Best Indoor Grill for Steaks, Paninis and Apartments

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The best indoor grill depends on what you grill most and how much counter you can spare. A contact grill presses food between two hot plates, so burgers and paninis cook fast. An open grill works more like a grate, which suits steaks, kebabs and vegetables. A grill-and-air-fryer combo closes a lid over the food and adds other functions.

Is a premium model worth it? We compared seven electric indoor grills sold by Amazon.com, from a compact George Foreman to a Breville with separate controls for each plate. We checked plate types, whether the plates come out for cleaning, temperature control and warranty, and we attribute every smoke and fat-reduction claim to the brand that makes it.

Indoor grills are cooking appliances with hot plates, grease and a power cord, so we end with counter-clearance and electrical habits from fire-safety agencies.

Our Top Indoor Grill Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. Cuisinart Griddler 5-in-1 Panini Press and Grill: Best Overall

Cuisinart’s Griddler is a countertop contact grill with reversible plates and a hinged lid. Close it and it works as a contact grill or panini press, cooking both sides at once. Open it flat and you get a full grill, a full griddle, or half of each, which is where the 5-in-1 name comes from.

Cuisinart pitches it for everything from pancakes and sausages to grilled cheese, steaks, hamburgers and paninis. Dual temperature controls adjust from “warm” to “sear” in grill and panini mode, and from 200°F to 425°F in griddle mode, so you aren’t stuck with a single preset heat.

Cleanup is built around removable parts. The listing says the nonstick grill and griddle plates, the removable drip tray and a cleaning and scraping tool are dishwasher-safe. Cuisinart describes the Griddler as PFAS-free and backs it with a limited 3-year warranty. The title lists 1500 watts. The listing gives its size as 13.5 x 11.5 x 7.12 inches and its weight as 11.5 pounds, and the model field reads GR-4NNAS.

It suits households that want one grill for weeknight burgers, Sunday pancakes and lunchtime sandwiches, and that would rather put plates in the dishwasher than scrub a fixed surface. It makes no smoke claims, so use it under a range hood or near an open window.

Why we like it

• Five cooking modes
• Separate griddle temperature range
• Three-year warranty

Watch out for

The listing doesn’t give a cooking area or any smoke claim, so check the size against what you cook for.

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2. Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer DG551: Best Smokeless Grill and Air Fryer

Ninja’s Foodi Smart XL DG551 is a countertop grill with a closed lid and a fan, so it grills and air fries in one appliance. Ninja calls its method cyclonic grilling: 500°F hot air circulates around food while a 500°F grill grate underneath leaves char marks.

The Smart Cook System is the key feature. A Foodi Smart Thermometer plugs in and, according to Ninja, lets you pick from four protein settings and nine customizable doneness levels, so a steak can come out rare or well-done at the touch of a button. The listing says the grate fits up to six steaks or 24 hot dogs, and that frozen food can go to char-grilled in under 25 minutes.

Six functions cover Grill, Air Crisp, Roast, Bake, Broil and Dehydrate. Ninja says air crisping uses up to 75% less fat than deep-frying, based on its own test with French fries. On smoke, Ninja’s Smoke Control System combines its chef-recommended grilling practices, a temperature-controlled grill grate, a splatter shield and a cool-air zone, which it says keeps smoke out of the kitchen. The ceramic-coated grate, crisper basket and cooking pot are dishwasher safe.

In the box you get a 9 x 12-inch grill grate, a 4-quart crisper basket, a 4-quart cooking pot, the thermometer, a cleaning brush and a 15-recipe book. It suits steak lovers and air-fryer fans with counter space for a 25-pound appliance.

Why we like it

• Built-in doneness thermometer
• Grill and air fryer in one
• 500°F stated heat

Watch out for

It’s big and heavy at a listed 25 pounds, and the low-smoke result depends on following Ninja’s recommended practices.

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3. George Foreman 4-Serving Grill With Removable Plates: Best Budget Contact Grill

The George Foreman 4-Serving grill is the compact contact grill most people picture when they hear the name. You close the lid on burgers, chicken breasts or sandwiches, and both plates cook at once, with the familiar sloped surface draining fat toward the front.

The listing says this 60-square-inch size is the most popular George Foreman Grill, with room for a main course for four or a complete meal with vegetables and sides. George Foreman claims the improved heating elements preheat 35% faster, and that its George Tough nonstick coating is three times more durable, easy to clean and removes the need for butter or oil.

Removable plates are the upgrade over older Foreman grills with fixed plates. They pop out and go in the dishwasher, per the listing, so you aren’t wiping hot plates with a damp paper towel. The listing doesn’t mention a temperature dial, so expect a single heat level. The warranty field reads 3-year limited. The size is listed at 12.28 x 6.5 x 13.27 inches, and the weight field reads 0.62 pounds, which can’t be right for an appliance this size, so we treat it as not stated.

It suits students, couples, small apartments and anyone who mostly grills burgers, chicken and sandwiches and wants the easiest cleanup at the lowest price.

Why we like it

• Dishwasher-safe removable plates
• Three-year warranty field
• Best-selling electric grill here

Watch out for

At 60 square inches with no stated temperature control, it’s a quick-meal grill, not a steak-searing one.

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4. Chefman Smokeless Indoor Electric Grill: Best Budget Smokeless Open Grill

Chefman’s Smokeless Indoor Electric Grill is an open, low-profile tabletop grill: no lid, just a heated grill plate over a drip tray. Chefman pitches it as outdoor grilling inside, an extra cooking surface that can sit on a counter or a dining table for cook-as-you-eat meals.

Smoke is handled with water. Chefman says the water-filled drip tray whisks away smoke so you can enjoy grill flavors year-round indoors. The pyramid-style ceramic nonstick grill plate is designed, per the listing, to pull excess oil and grease away from food and into the removable drip tray.

The grilling area measures 15 by 9 inches, which Chefman says is enough to cook mains and sides at the same time. An adjustable low-to-high temperature control sets the heat, though the listing doesn’t give a range in degrees. For cleanup, the ceramic nonstick plate, dishwasher-safe base and drip tray keep things simple, according to Chefman. The listing says it is UL approved and rated at 1500 watts on 120 volts, and it mentions a 1-year assurance from Chefman, although the warranty field itself is empty.

It suits budget buyers, apartment dwellers who want grilled vegetables and thin cuts, and anyone who likes tabletop grilling with friends. At a listed 5.36 pounds and 11 x 21 x 3.3 inches, it’s easy to store in a cabinet.

Why we like it

• Water tray aimed at smoke
• Big 15 x 9-inch surface for the price
• Light and flat for storage

Watch out for

Without a lid it can’t press or sear both sides at once, and the heat dial isn’t marked in degrees on the listing.

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5. Hamilton Beach Indoor Searing Grill 25360: Best for Searing Steaks on a Budget

Hamilton Beach’s Electric Indoor Searing Grill is an open grill with a hinged hood, built around one number: 450°F. The listing says it has a high searing heat that locks in juices and flavors, and that closing the lid gives you signature grill marks.

You can sear at 450 degrees or turn the adjustable temperature dial down to grill at lower heat for chicken, fish or vegetables. Power and preheat lights take the guesswork out of when to put food on. The title gives the cooking surface as 118 square inches and says it serves six, and describes the removable nonstick grate as PFAS-free.

Cleanup is the other strength. Hamilton Beach says the indoor grill hood, the cooking plate and the drip tray are all removable and dishwasher safe, so there’s no endless scraping. The housing is stainless steel, per the title. The listing gives its size as 12.4 x 16.73 x 6.81 inches and its weight as 8.14 pounds, and the warranty field reads one year.

It suits apartment cooks and anyone without a backyard who wants to sear steaks and chops on a weeknight. It’s not a panini press, because the hood covers the food rather than pressing it, and there’s no griddle plate for pancakes.

Why we like it

• 450°F searing heat
• Everything removable goes in the dishwasher
• Preheat light

Watch out for

The hood doesn’t press food, so it won’t replace a contact grill for paninis.

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6. George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill With Stand, 15-Serving: Best Indoor-Outdoor Grill

George Foreman’s Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill is a large, round open grill that sits on a removable pedestal stand. Clip it onto the stand for the patio, or lift it off and use it on the kitchen counter. The title rates it for 15 servings, the biggest serving claim in our lineup.

Because it’s fully electric, the listing says there’s no charcoal, no propane and no flare-ups, and George Foreman calls it apartment approved. It still needs a heat-safe surface indoors or out, and the brand says to make sure the grill clips securely onto the stand before use. Check your lease or building rules before using any grill on a balcony.

Heat comes in five settings, and George Foreman recommends a 10-minute preheat for best results before grilling steaks, fish, vegetables, fruit or dessert. The signature sloped surface helps remove up to 42% of fat, per the brand, as long as the grill is level so grease flows into the drip tray. The George Tough nonstick coating is described as durable and easy to clean, with nylon scrubbers recommended. The warranty field reads 3-year limited, and the listing gives its weight as 8.68 pounds.

It suits renters, condo owners and families who want an electric grill that moves between the kitchen and the patio.

Why we like it

• Works on a stand or countertop
• Five heat settings
• 15-serving capacity

Watch out for

Allow a full 10-minute preheat, and keep it level so grease reaches the tray.

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7. Breville Sear and Press Grill BGR700BSS: Best Premium Contact Grill

Breville’s Sear and Press Grill is a premium contact grill that also opens flat into what Breville calls BBQ mode. Closed, it presses and cooks both sides of a burger or panini. Open, the two 9.8 x 11.8-inch plates form a 240-square-inch grilling and griddle surface for steaks, seafood, eggs and pancakes.

What you’re paying for is control. Each plate has its own electronic temperature control, so in BBQ mode you can sear a steak on one side and cook vegetables at a lower heat on the other. One-touch presets cover Panini, Burger and Sear, and Breville describes them as shortcuts that cut kitchen time.

The plates are reversible, with a grill side and a griddle side, and use a ceramic nonstick coating that Breville says is completely PFOA and PTFE free and allows more browning and a better crust at higher temperatures. The removable drip tray works in both BBQ and contact mode. Plates can be hand cleaned or popped out for the dishwasher, and optional waffle plates are sold separately. The listing rates it at 1800 watts and gives its weight as 14.95 pounds.

It suits cooks who make steaks and burgers often and want restaurant-style control on the counter. On warranty, the listing’s bullets say 1 Year Limited, while the warranty field says 2 years, so confirm with Breville before you buy.

Why we like it

• Per-plate temperature control
• Opens to 240 sq in
• Reversible ceramic plates

Watch out for

The listing gives two different warranty terms, and the price is in the top tier.

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How We Chose the Best Indoor Grills

We limited our picks to electric indoor grills sold by Amazon.com and in stock, then compared what each listing actually says:

• Grill style: contact grill, open grill, grill-griddle combo or closed-lid grill with air fry.
• Plates: grill, griddle or reversible, coating type and whether they’re removable and dishwasher safe.
• Temperature control: fixed heat, a dial, numbered settings or stated degrees.
• Smoke and fat claims: quoted and attributed to the brand, never treated as tested results.
• Warranty and popularity: the warranty field and Amazon sales rank, with conflicting or placeholder fields flagged.

Indoor Grill Buying Guide

Contact Grill, Open Grill or Air Fry Combo?

Contact grills, like the George Foreman 4-Serving, Cuisinart Griddler and Breville Sear and Press, close on the food and cook both sides at once, which is ideal for burgers, chicken breasts and paninis. Open grills, like the Chefman and the George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor, work like a small grate. The Hamilton Beach has a hood that covers the food without pressing it. The Ninja Foodi closes a lid and circulates hot air, so it grills and air fries in one appliance.

Best Indoor Griddle Grill: Removable and Reversible Plates

Reversible plates give you a grill side and a flat griddle side. The Cuisinart Griddler and Breville Sear and Press both have them, and both open flat for more surface. Removable plates matter just as much for cleanup: the George Foreman 4-Serving, Hamilton Beach and Breville say their plates come out, Ninja’s grate is removable, and Cuisinart lists dishwasher-safe plates. The Chefman and George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor listings don’t say the plate is removable, though Chefman lists a dishwasher-safe base and drip tray. If you mainly want a large flat surface for pancakes and eggs, see our best electric griddle guide.

Best Indoor Grill for Steaks

Searing needs high, steady heat. The Ninja Foodi lists the highest heat here at 500°F, plus a thermometer with nine doneness levels. The Hamilton Beach sears at a stated 450°F. The Breville offers a Sear preset and separate control of each plate. The Cuisinart’s grill mode runs from warm to sear, and the George Foreman 4-Serving doesn’t list a temperature control.

Best Smokeless Indoor Grill: Reading the Smoke Claims

No indoor grill is truly smokeless; fat that hits a hot surface will smoke. Brands use different approaches: Chefman uses a water-filled drip tray, and Ninja’s Smoke Control System combines a temperature-controlled grate, a splatter shield and a cool-air zone with its recommended grilling practices. Trim excess fat, keep the drip tray clean and run your range hood. The Cuisinart, Breville and Hamilton Beach listings make no smoke claims.

Best Indoor Outdoor Grill

The George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor is the only pick with a stand for patio use, and the listing says to use it on a heat-safe surface indoors or outdoors. Electric grills don’t use propane or charcoal, but check your lease or HOA rules before grilling on a balcony. For full outdoor grilling with a lid and burners, compare our best gas grill picks.

Indoor Grill Safety: Counter Space, Cords and Grease

An indoor grill is a cooking appliance with hot plates and a pool of grease, so kitchen fire rules apply:

• Stay with it. The NFPA says cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries, the leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking, and you should stay in the kitchen while grilling.
• Clear the counter. NFPA says to keep anything that can catch fire, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains, away from the stovetop. Give a countertop grill the same clearance, and leave room behind it for heat to escape from wall cabinets.
• Plug in directly and check the cord. The U.S. Fire Administration says not to overload outlets, to replace an appliance with a cracked, damaged or loose cord, and to unplug small appliances when you aren’t using them. Keep the cord away from the hot plates, the sink and the counter edge.
• Handle grease safely. Let the drip tray cool before you empty it. For a small grease fire, NFPA advises keeping a lid nearby to smother it and leaving it covered until it has completely cooled. Unplug the grill if you can do so safely.

Kitchen Fires and Your Insurance

Homeowners and renters policies generally cover fire and smoke damage from a covered loss, but limits and deductibles vary, and a grease fire can damage cabinets and counters quickly. Our Ohio homeowners insurance guide explains what a standard policy covers, and renters can check renters insurance costs in Ohio.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best indoor grill for most people?

The Cuisinart Griddler 5-in-1 is our top pick. It works as a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle or half and half, its plates and drip tray are dishwasher-safe per the listing, and its warranty field reads 3-Year Limited.

What is the best smokeless indoor grill?

No grill is completely smokeless. Ninja says its Smoke Control System keeps smoke out of the kitchen when you follow its recommended practices, and Chefman uses a water-filled drip tray it says whisks away smoke. Both are brand claims.

What is the best indoor grill for steaks?

The Ninja Foodi Smart XL lists the highest heat here, 500°F, and a thermometer with nine doneness levels. On a smaller budget, the Hamilton Beach Searing Grill sears at a stated 450°F.

Is a premium indoor grill worth it?

It can be if you want more control. The Breville adds separate temperature control for each plate and a 240-square-inch open surface, and the Ninja adds air frying and a thermometer. For burgers and sandwiches, the George Foreman 4-Serving is the best-selling electric grill here.

Can you use an electric indoor grill outdoors?

Some are designed for it. The George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor grill has a removable stand, and its listing says to use it on a heat-safe surface indoors or outdoors. Check your lease or HOA rules before using any grill on a balcony.

The Bottom Line

For most kitchens, the Cuisinart Griddler 5-in-1 is the best indoor grill: five modes, dishwasher-safe plates and a three-year warranty field. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL is the pick for steaks cooked by thermometer, with air frying included. On a budget, the George Foreman 4-Serving is the best seller for burgers and sandwiches, the Chefman Smokeless gives the most open surface for the money, and the Hamilton Beach Searing Grill reaches 450°F. The George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor moves to the patio, and the Breville Sear and Press brings per-plate control for cooks who want the premium option.

Want to know how your policy handles a kitchen fire? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or get a free coverage review.